IS IT A STROKE?
Prompt treatment of stroke may prevent brain damage. If you notice someone behaving or looking differently than usual, Ask them a 3-question test:
1). Ask them to smile. Is there facial drooping or weakness or one side?
2). Ask them to raise both arms? Are they weak or unable to do this?
3). Ask them to speak any simple sentence: “Today is not my birthday” for example. Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand?
If they have any difficulty doing any of these tasks , Call 9-1-1 immediately –state your name and location-the individual’s name if you know it and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
(There might be other reasons for these symptoms to occur, such as dehydration, drug reactions (prescription or street drugs), seizures, etc., but let the Emergency Medical Team/ 9-1-1 decide.)
Health & Safety Committee Advisory -February 2005